Structural set



Decn 31, 1940. A. GEIE Erm. 2,226,763

STRUCTURAL SET Filed Aug. 22, 1938 2 SheetS--Sl'leell 1 CZRENCE 8.65/5

C. A. GEIB ETAL STRUCTURAL SET Dec. 31, 1940.

Filed Aug. 22, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y30 connected thereto.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES `PA''IEINT GFFCE STRUCTURAL SET Application August 22, 1938, Serial No. y226,126

2 Claims.

The invention relates to structural sets.

It is now common practice to provide toy structural sets which include members adapted to be secured together by screws or bolts. In erecting structures with such sets, particularly those composed of .a large number of parts, considerable time is required for their assembly.

The object of the present invention is to provide a toy structural set which can be more easily and quickly assembled than one composed of parts adapted to be secured together by screws,`

structure embodying one vform of `the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing `a. group of elements separated to illustrate them individually. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through one of the connecting brackets with a side-bar and an end-bar Fig. 3a is a vertical section through one of the brackets for Vsupporting a plate or shelf. Fig. 4 is a perspective illustrating a modified form of the invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the vertical tubular posts and a connecting bracket of the construction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a pair of vertically connected posts of the construction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective illustrating the parts shown in Fig. 6 separated preparatory to assembling.

The invention is exemplified in Figs. l to 3 in a set of metal elements forming a skeleton or self-supporting structure or framework which comprises: sectional standards or uprights built up of bars I 0 with rightangle flanges; brackets for connecting the bars I0 of the standards formed of bars II having rightangle flanges adapted to fit against and lap the inner faces of the flanges of bars III, and integral rightangled arms I3 of ilat stock Xed to the inner faces of the flanges of bars II; and bars I2, IZa, I2b of ilat stock for forming the lateral or horizontal members of the structure of different lengths. The side-faces of the ends of arms I3 and the side-faces of the ends of bars I2, I2, I2b lare adapted to overlap .one another to fit together for assembly -into thev structure. Any number of bars I may be assembled with connecting brackets to form a structure of diierent heights. Any one or number of the bars I2, |211, I2b may be 5 used to form a lateral connecting member between .any pair of standards to Vary the size and shape of the structure.

All yof the overlapping portions of the elements, i. e., bars Il), III, arms I3, and bars I2, I2a, I2b, 1Y0 are .provided with intertting means which makes it possible to assemble them together by inserting the hooks into the .slots and relative sliding movement. Each of said connections comprises a pair of slots I5 in one element .and a pair of 15 instruck hook-shaped tongues I4 in the other element at the overlapping end-portions of each pair off elements which are to be secured toalignment. In order to yieldingly secure the assembled ends -of overlapping elements so the lhooks yIII will not slide into position so they will be released from slots I5, one of the overlapping :elements is formed with a lconcave socket Il to 3U receive a convex `stud I6 on the contiguous face ofthe otherelement. As the hooks I4 are forced into interlocking position, the studs I6 will spring into sockets I1. Studs I6 and sockets Il are formed by indenting the bars. v 35 In the structure shown in Fig. 1, each standard comprises a pair of angle-bars IIJ assembled together in superposed relation through an angle-bar I I, the flanges of which i'lt against the inner faces of the flanges of the angle-bars I0. 40 Each end of the bar I0 is provided with a pair of tongues I4 for coacting with slots I5 in the contiguous flanges of bar I I and an interi'ltting studconnection I6 and I'I so that the bars I0 which form the posts will be secured in vertical or end- 45 to-end alignment. The standards at corners of the structure are connected by ilat bars I2b which are provided at each end with a pair of tongues I4 adapted to pass through slots I5 in the arms I3 of the connecting brackets, and with an in- 50 terltting connection I6, I 'I to secure the arms Aand bars against relative longitudinal and transverse movements. The sides of the structure are formed by pairs of bars I2 each provided at both of its ends with a pair of tongues I4 for 55 interlocking with slots I5 in the arms I3 of the connecting brackets and an intermediate bar I2ab which is provided at its ends with slots I5 for hooked tongues I4 on the adjacent ends of the bars I2. This forms side-members which may be built to any length desired.

In practice, the set of elements includes a series of angle-bars I0 and a series of at bars of varying lengths, all of which are provided with continuous series of slots so that structures of different heights, widths and lengths may be selectively assembled. For use in connecting end and side-bars at the top of the structure, some of the angle-bars II may terminate so they will be approximately iiush with the arms I 3, as at I la.

To provide a shelf at one side of the structure, angle-brackets of flat stock comprising arms I8 and I9 may be provided. Each of the said arms is provided with a pair of hooked tongues I4, one pair of which is adapted to interlock with, slots I4 in a flange of one of the angle-bars I0 andthe other of which is adapted to pass through slots20 in a shelf-plate 2|.

The construction described exemplies one which comprises angle-bars, flat bars and connecting brackets which are adapted to be assembled to form a great variety of structures by means of the interlocking connections between the elements, whereby the elements will be secured together in alignment as desired and which will be rigidly connected transversely and yieldably secured against endwise separation by the intertting connections I6, II.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 to '7, the standards are built up of tubular bars 22 and connecting brackets, each provided with short at vertical bars 23. Each end Of bar 22 is flattened, as at 23a, and provided with a cap 24 rigidly secured thereon and having an opening through which bar 23 can pass to t into the flattened portion 23a of the tubular bar 22. The connecting bracket comprises integral arms 26, one of which is rigidly secured to bar 23. The bars for forming the ends and sides of the structure are the same asthose described in connection withFigs. 1 to 3, being adapted to be assembled and locked together by the intertting slot and tongue-sections. In the connecting brackets at the top of the structure, the bar 23 is shortened so it will terminate close to the top of the arms and side-members. This construction exemplifies one in which the standards are formed of tubular bars and connecting brackets adapted to be readily and slidably connected to provide sectional standards of any desired number.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modied within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A set of elements adapted to be assembled into a structure comprising standards, Iiat metal arms xed to', and extending horizontally at substantially right angles from, the standards, bars for connecting the arms to form a self-supporting structure, each bar including a plurality of flat metal strips, the side faces of the strips and the arms being adapted to fit together faceto-face, and pairs of intertting slidably actuatable hooks and slots, each pair of hooks and slots being spaced apart longitudinally for simultaneous vconnection and adapted to removably secure overlapping ends of the abutting arms and strips against relative transverse movement and in longitudinal alignment to form an elongated vertically rigid connection between the standards.

2. A set of elements adapted to be assembled into a structure comprising inner standard sections provided with only two substantially integral right angled anges, integral arms secured to the inner faces of said flanges and projecting laterally therefrom at right angles from substantially their vertical centers, and outer connecting standard sections having integral right angled lianges `iitting against the outer faces of the flanges on the inner sections above and below the arms, horizontal bars formed of nat metal strips for connecting the arms to form a self-sustaining structure, and detachable connections between the arms and the adjacent ends of the bars, and between the flanges of the inner and outer standard sections, eaclr connection comprising a pair of intertting slidably actuatable hooks and slots, the hooks and slots of the standard sections being spaced apart vertically, the hooks and slots between the arms and bars being spaced apart horizontally for simultaneous connection at spaced points to secure the overlapping portions of the bars and arms in horizontal alignment and of the standard sections in vertical alignment.

' CHARLES A. GEIB.

CLARENCE B. GEIB. 

